MID-CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18926, 15 February 1927, Page 4

MID-CANTERBURY.

ASHBURTON.

PERSONAL.

Dr. Stewart Hunter, who has been house-surgeon at the Ashburton Countv Hospital for the past 12 months, tendered his resignation at yesterday's meeting of the Board. The chairman (Mr F. \V. Watt) said they were, very fortunate in having the services of Dr. Hunter, who had done his work satisfactorily to tlio Board and patients. The resignation was accepted with regret ami it was decided that the best wishes of the Board follow him in the courso of his profession. Cr. J. Donn eutered Oakhurst hospital last night and will undergo an operation this morning. At its meeting last night the Borough Council decided to write wishing him a speedy recovery. A motion of sympathy with the relatives of the late Mr J. B. Christian, who was ft councillor for three years, was passed at a meeting of the council last night. Mr F. W. Wait (chairman of the Hospital Board) and Mr A. Prentice (secretary-treasurer) have been appointed the Board's delegates to the Hospital Boards' Associations' annual conference at Christchurch on March Ist, 2nd, and 3rd.

Incidence of T.B. The incidence of tuberculosis in New Zealand wns viewed with a certain amount of alarm by members of tho Ashburton Hospital Board nt the meeting yesterday. The chairman (Mr F. W. Watt) said they were thankful for the reports upon tuberculosis received from the North Canterbury and Otago Hospital Boards. The report from North Canterbury, which hnd been prepared by Dr. Blackmore, an expert, was, in his opinion, one of the most valuable that he had read. It was a pity thoy could not supply every schoolmaster and all the mothers in the Ashburton County with a copy of that portion of the report relating to children. "I want to emphasise the fact that we liavo a case in Ashburton, of a boy, 9 yenrs of nge, who has been examined by Dr. Kidd, medical superintendent of Waipiata Sanatorium, and recommended for treatment at Waipiata, but tho father and mother will not allow the child to go," stated Mr Watt. "It seems incredible to me, that any father and mother should show so much unconcern about the future welfare of their childron." Continuing ho said members of tho Board had been surprised at tho number of people who had been examined by tho hospital doctor and found to bo in an advanced stage of T. 8., and they had been equally surprised at the number who had been discovered before the disease had gone too far. Mr W. Bryant: It will only bo a matter of time and those people who have tho disease will bo compelled to tako treatment. Tho chairman: 1 know the official mind on that point. Mr W. T. Lill said Dr. Blnekmorc's report contained information upon the good work of the Education Board's doctor on the matter. He contended that the Education Department should continue to carry out the work in a more strict manner than it had been doing. For the safety of tho rest of the community, those parents who refused, should be compelled to sond their children for treatment. On the motion of Mr Lill, it was decided to congratulate the Education Department upon tho work it was doing and request it to adopt tho recommendations contained in Dr. Blackmoro's report to the North Canterbury Hospital Board, at the same time distributing suitable extracts from it. It was decided to congratulate the North Canterbury Hospital Board upon its distribution of Dr. Blaeknioro's report, and state that tlia Ashburton Board would support it whenever opportunity offered.

Rifle Meeting. A riflo meeting between A and B,Companies of the Ashburton senior cadets was held on the range at the Drill Hall on Saturday, undor the supervision of. Major H. D. McHugh (Regimental District Commander), with Hon. Lioutennnt Clements and Warrant Officer W. Edmonds as assistants. The standard of shooting was high, and each match for which was offered, was keenly contested. Ono competitor, namely Cadet A. Cookson, of tho High School Company, was outstanding, os he won five out of tho six mutches with almost possible scores in each case. He also won tho Lady Islington Challenge Cup, for tho competitor gaining the highest aggrogate, with a score of 130 out of u possible of 140. Tho Thursday Challenge Shield, for the best team of six cadets from the A and B Companies, was won by the A Company (High School), with a total of 711 points. Municipal Abattoir. During (he last month, the following stock was slaughtered at the Municipal Abattoir:—Cattle 130 (2 condemned), calves 1, pigs 61, sheep 740, lambs 96. Swimming Carnival. •The Ashburton Swimming Centre's Carnivnl to be held in the Borough baths to-night, promises to be one of tho best meetings held in Ashburton this season. Good entries have been received for all events, including the relay race, for which 10 teams havo entered. Fishing. Although the county rivers wore in good order for fishing during the weekend, the results were very disappointing. At tho mouth of the Bakaia river only a sm'all number of fish were bagged, these being of fair size. One angler had a remarkable catch whilo sea fishing at this resort, landing three hapukn, the weight of which were 1001b, 60!b, and 201b respectively. Practically nothing was caught at the Ashburton river mouth, the channel being almost completely blocked. At the Rangitata river mouth the re- ■ suits were a little better. About 12 I rods were out, and one or two small bags were obtained, the fish averaging from 41b to 51b. It is likely that tho annual run of quinnat salmon will commence in this river at an early date, as one or two were observed in the vicinity of the mouth on Saturday. A" party of local anglers who visited Lakes Emma and Clearwater did not meet with much success, as the catch only numbered eight among the six rods. Oppressive Heat. The oppressive heat on Sunday drove the majority of people out of doors, and in addition to various parts of the river-bed, which were visited by large numbers, many with conveyances journeyed to Peel Forest, Wakanui Beach, Hakatcrc, the month of the Rangitata river, and Ashton Beach. Despite the dangerous nature of the.sea at Ashton, some people took the tUk of batatac te-niiiSst ■■:.:",; ; .-'. "..;■■•■'■)'■. "'.

Case of Diphtheria. A enso of diphtheria was notified to the County Health Inspector (Mr E. N. Johnson) yesterday morning, from Bakaia. Welcome Bain. In contrast to the oppressively hot weather conditions of the past week, wind sprang up from a southerly quarter yesterday morning, with the result that the sky became heavily clouded about noon. A welcome rain set in about 4.30 p.m., and showed signs of continuing well into the night. Hospital Board. At the monthly meeting of tho Hospital Board held yesterday, there were present: Messrs F. W. Watt (chairman), J. Bruce, A. H.orsey, W. G. Gallagher, H. Maginness, G. S. Hardy, W. Bryant, W. T. Lill, and A. Prentice. Tho secretary-treasurer reported that the following infoctious diseases had been reported during the month:— Borough: Diphtheria, 1; food poisoning, 1. County: Diphtheria, 2; scarlet fever, 1. The statement of receipts and payments for January showed a dobit balance of £BO 5s *sd. The medical superintendent (Dr. H. S. Billcliff) reported that 51 patients remained in hospital on December 31st, 57 were admitted during January, 108 wero treated, CO discharged, leaving 23 males and 25 fomnles at the end of tho month. During the month, 40 operations were performed, 180 massage treatments given, 70 X-ray examinations made, and 231 out-patient treatments given. Tho matron of Malvern Homo (Miss I. Munro) reported that during January 12 patients wore admitted, and 11 were discharged, leaving four at the end of tho month. Tho reports from Methven Home showed that during the month four patients were admitted, six discharged, and noiio remained. At the Rakala Home three patients wero admitted, four discharged, leaving one. Tho reports were adopted. It was agreed to apply to the Health Department to make the Malvern Home a training school for maternity nurses. Tho medical superintendent was authorised to fill the vacancy of house surgeon at the hospital, rendered vacant by the resignation of Dr. S. Hunter. Tho appointment of a suitable date in April for the holding of hospital day, when the public will be invited to inspect the hospital, was left to the medical superintendent, matron, and Hospital Committee. The chairman reported that tho alterations and additions to ward No. 1 would bo out of the contractor's hands on Wednesday. Lawn Tennis. The Baptist Tennis Club held a successful tournament on Saturday. The games wero very evenly contested, at tho conclusion of which the Rev. C. 8. Matthews presented the various prizes won during tho afternoon. The following were tho results:— Combined doubles, Wnllis and Miss Bapley; men's doubles, Bowman and Wood; ladles' doubles, Misses Bapley and Donaldson; runners-up (special prize), Misses Dahlbcrg and Pilchcr.

HINDS. Tho weather continues still very hot and dry, and although ideal for harvest operations, it having a disastrous effect on tho grass, which now presents a very withered appearance. Between Hinds and Ealing the conditions are very favourable for grass fires. The local threshing machines are being kept busy and haulers and motor lorries are much in evidence carting grain to the stations. The Hinds Presbyterian Sunday school held its annual picnio at Mr F. Wclls's_ farm on the Cbldstream road. About 70 took advantage of tho outing, and all wero conveyed in motor-cars and in a large motor-lorry. The afternoon was spent very pleasantly with a sports programme and, with various games. A plentiful supply of refreshments was provided.

SPRINGBURN. The school committee mot last woek, tho chairman, Mr D. A. Symo presiding. Mrs W. E. Farquharson was appointed sewing mistress. Tho matter of the school treat came up for discussion, but owing to financial uncertainties, decision was deferred until next meeting. It was not necessary to go to thermometers to And out that Sunday was the hottest day this year. The damp conditions of tho mid-week gave way to fino days at tho week-end, and Sunday was oppressively hot. A slight haziness obscured the sun at times in the mid-morning, but this did not stop the thermometer rising. Later in the day filmy clouds let the sun shine through, but seemed to koep the heat in whilo there was no breezo to cool the air. Humans and animals sought what shade and coolnoss they could find, while by mid-day in the open, even the insects had ceased their buzz. About the only sound that disturbed the hot stillness was the chirruping of birds in the trees. The temperature in the shade at mid-day was 92 degrees, while the shade temperature on a verandah facing the sun, was just over 100 degrees. In the afternoon a slight nor'west breeze, and an occasional cloudiness made the temperature vary, but at 3 p.m. it was still registering 90 degress.

MOUNT SOMERS. An enjoyable short night dance was held in the Memorial Hall on Saturday evening in aid of the Mount SomorsSpringburn Elocutionary Competitions Society. There was a fair attendance, and music was supplied by Miss L. Wood, and extra* by Miss M. Thompson, and Master D. Wood. Mr W. Frisker was M.C. The week-end saw a return to warm, summer weather. The maximum temperature reached 83 deg. on Saturday, while Sunday was the hottest day experienced for over six years. The maximum temperature reached 91 degrees in the shade, the highest this year, and tho highest since January 3rd, 1921, when 92 degrees were registered. Late in the afternoon nor'-west winds sprang up, and one of the hottest nights of the present summer followed, the minimum temperature reading being GG degrees yesterday morning, when conditions were still hot and oppressive.

PENDARVES. The large plantation of 100 acres on the property of Mr W. Lambie,' of Kyle, is now to be cut for commercial purposes, and a mill will be installed in a few days' time. The plantation, which consists both of pjie and gnm trees, was planted 50 years ago by Mr W. Lambie's father, the late Mr John Lambie. The pine wood will be used chiefly for fruit boxes, and the gum for stakes and rails. There will also, of course, be an immense quantity of firewood. It is estimated that the work will extend over a period of about three years. Mrs Duncan Kennedy, of South Canterbury, has been spending a few days with Mrs P. Doig, and has been renewing acquaintance with many old friends in the district.

METHVEN. The weather still continues hot and drv in the Methven district, nnd conditions for harvest operations are ideal. Far. -era are taking advantage of it and are putting in full time, a number getting a whole day in on Sunday. A small amount of threshing of oats has been done, and the yields are quite up to «xp -tations. With a continuance of the present weather conditions, most of the crops should bo cut by the end of the present week. There was again a large attendance of members on the croquet greens on Saturday afternoon, and some interesting games were played. A golf croquet competition was played, and this was won oy Mrs Jones. A consolation prize was awarded Mrs H. Beid. During the week a number of games for places on the status list have been played, and these resulted as follows: Mrs 6. Nicholls beat Mrs Newman; Mrs H. Fryer beat Mrs Duff; Mrs J. Cnllaghan bent Mrs Owen; Mrs Wnddington beat Mrs Jones. There were not as many players as usual on the tennis courts on Saturday. The local club sent n team to play To Marae nt Ashburton. Nevertheless, the courts were kept occupied till evening. CHERTSEY. The weather continues dry, and, although threshing-mills are working full time, they ore unable to cope with the heavy harvest. Labour has not been plentiful, and every available harvester has been placed 3s soon as he arrived in the district. Excellent .yields are reported, the wheat returns being exceptional for the Plains land. One farmer secured an average of 47 bushels, while averages of 30 and 40 bushels are common. The dry weather is beginning to have an adverse effect on the roads, especially as there is heavy traffic in grain-hauling. A good rain would be welcomed, as it would settle the surface once more. . Crops of rape and turnips would also be much benefited by rain. The season has been a splendid one for clover, and many drafts of good quality lambs have been forwarded to the works. Up to the present feed has been plentiful, and stock is looking well. Mr and Mrs J. Forman and Miss Winnie Forman recently spent an enjoyable holiday at Peel Forest, where they were accompanied bv Miss Ngaire Smart and Masters Stanley. Jack, and Aleo Doyle. While there, three of the young people. Winnie Fonnaq. Ngaire

Smart, and Jack Doyle (who » only 10 fears old), successfully climbed Mt. Peel, and it is said thai this is the' first time the feat has Been accomplished by a child of this age.